CVE-2021-3480 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability has been discovered in slapi-nis versions prior to 0.56.7, allowing an unauthenticated attacker to crash the 389-ds-base directory server through a NULL pointer dereference when parsing the Binding DN. The impact of this vulnerability mainly affects system availability.

Understanding CVE-2021-3480

This section provides insights into the vulnerability, its impact, affected systems, and exploitation mechanisms.

What is CVE-2021-3480?

The CVE-2021-3480 vulnerability is found in slapi-nis versions before 0.56.7, enabling an unauthenticated attacker to crash the 389-ds-base directory server by exploiting a NULL pointer dereference during the parsing of the Binding DN.

The Impact of CVE-2021-3480

The highest risk posed by CVE-2021-3480 is to system availability, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to disrupt the 389-ds-base directory server.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-3480

Let's delve into the specific technical aspects of the CVE-2021-3480 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a NULL pointer dereference in slapi-nis versions earlier than 0.56.7, triggered during the parsing of the Binding DN, which could lead to a crash in the 389-ds-base directory server.

Affected Systems and Versions

slapi-nis version 0.56.7 and prior are impacted by this vulnerability, exposing the 389-ds-base directory server to potential crashes.

Exploitation Mechanism

By sending specially crafted requests to the vulnerable slapi-nis instances, unauthenticated attackers can exploit the NULL pointer dereference, resulting in a crash of the 389-ds-base directory server.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate and proactive measures to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-3480.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update slapi-nis to version 0.56.7 or newer to patch the vulnerability and prevent unauthenticated attackers from crashing the 389-ds-base directory server.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust network security measures and access controls to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation of vulnerabilities in critical services.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and patches from the software vendor to address known vulnerabilities and enhance the overall security posture of your systems.